For the love of riding

The third edition of Desert 500,  Velo Sports cycle expedition, scheduled to be held on February 26 will see cycling enthusiasts from Delhi and other states of the country travelling to Jodhpur.

Various groups and clubs from the capital like the Delhi Cycling Club, East Delhi Cycling Club and Noida Cycling Club are taking part in the event. The race will start from the Thar Desert, going through the famous city of Jodhpur-Osiyan-Phalodi-Ramdevra-Pokhran-Dechoo-Phalodi-Nagaur and back.

Nitin Yadav, co-organiser, says, “The reason why we are taking Delhiites out of the city for this ride is to bring them a change. Change is in the atmosphere, the surrounding and even the surface. The place has got better and long-stretched roads than Delhi, as well as minimal traffic, which makes it a better place to ride a cycle.”

He adds, “The event aims to promote cycling through competitive and non-competitive events, to increase awareness of the sport as a means to keep our environment clean, and to use cycling as a means to benefit individual fitnessand cultural well being.”

Those opting for shorter version of the ride can choose challenge of 100 km and for adrenalin seekers, there are endurance rides of 500km, 680km and a competitive race of 250km. People above 18 years can register themselves for the 24-hour ride on first-come-first-service basis. 

The race director for Desert 500 is Col Vijay Dhawan. Being one of the founder GKB Cycling Club, he has been instrumental in arranging long distance rides like Manali-Leh, Bikaner- Jaisalmer,Jodhpur-Jaisalmer Barmer-Jaisalmer and Munnar-Kanyakumari.

Desert 500, which is a Race Across America (RAAM) sanctioned race, saw 150 participants in its previous edition and is expecting 200 enthusiasts this year.